Improvement in attachments for wash-tubs



W. M. STEVENS, Attachlment for Wash-T -ubs- NO. 222,846. Patented Dc.23, 187,9.

mfness mre nltor w .J/ Jw UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

WIYATT M. STEVE'NS, OF LOWELL, MASSAOHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN ATTACHMENTS FOR WASH-TUBS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,846, dated December*23, 1879 application filed May 16, 1879.

To all whom t't may camera:

Be it known that I, WrYA'rT M. STEVENS, of Lowell, in the countyofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Attachments for Wash-Tubs; and I do herebydeclare that the followingl is afull. clear, and exact description ofthe invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

My invcntion relates tora new and useful attachment to wash-tubs orother receptacles in which water or liquids of any 'kind are kept w inmotion or agitation during the process of Washing` clothing, or forsimilar or kindred purposes; and this invent-ion consists of adetachable frame adapted to be easily secured to the tub or tank, andremoved therefrom as easily, to which frame is secured an apron, madepreferably of rubber cloth or other suitable water-proof material, thelower part of which apron lies inside of the tub or tank, and therebyserves as a protector for the operator, and prevents the liquid in thetub from spattering' over onto the garnients of the operator. As soon asthe washing is done the attachment with its apron may immediately beremoved from the tub, if so desired.

Inv the accom'panying,r drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view of awash-tub provided with my improved attachment. Fig. 2 represents a frontelevation of the tub and attachment. Fig. 3 represents a long'itudinalsection on the line A B. (Shown in Fig.1.) Fig'. 4 represents anelevation of the attachment.

Similar letters refer to similar parts whereeVer they occur on thedifferent parts of the drawings.

a represents an ordinary wash-tub, and b represents a Wash-board made inthe usnal manner. c is the frame, made of Wire or suitble material,which frame is bent downward in both of its ends, where it is preferablycurved in the shape of hooks or cla-mps o' c', adapted to embrace theupper edge or rim of the tub, as shown, so as to secure said frame tothe tub When the attachment is required for use.

I wish to state that I do not confine myself to this exact clamping'device for securing` the frame c to the tub or other receptacle, as thismay be varied-as, for instance, clamping screws oibolts and sockets maybe used, or other well-known means employed for attaching said frame toits tub or. tank without departing from the spirit of my invention.

d is the water-proof apron, sewed or other Wise secured to the frame c,as shown, and made long' enough so as to project inside the tub somewhatbelow the upper edge or rim of the tub, or more, as shown in Fig. 3.

By the use of this simple attachment the ,f

operator at the tub is protected from being wetted by the waterspattered about during the process of washing clothes, &c. Besides thisuse, the frame also serves as a rest, against which the operator mayrest his or her body during the performance of the work.

'Having thus fully described the nature, construction, and 'operation ofiny invention, I wish to secure by Letters Patent, and claim- Theherein-described attachment for Washtubs and similar articles,consisting of the frame c, having its ends o' o' adapted to be securedto the tub, and provided with a waterproof guard or apron, d,substantially as `and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I clairn the foregoing as my own invention I haveaffixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WIYATT M. STEVENS.

Witnesses:

L. G. Hown, W. N. FLAGG.

